Poison's Kiss (Deadly Beauties 2)

I gasp out for fresh air, quickly facing my savior to see Dice. He launches another red stream, but Isolis dodges it, diving on top of him. An incubus is no match for a night stalker.

Now that I'm free, I don't waste time. I launch my powers, letting them roar free with a vengeance. The silver orbs fly from my hands, bringing with it the dark intoxication of my deadly power.

The orbs strike the night stalker without mercy, launching him through the railing on the second floor and sending him to the first floor before he knows what's going on. I hear his wheezed breaths singing to me with the melody of death's promise.

"What the fuck?" Dice almost whispers to himself, stunned by the show of power.

I step over him, letting my darkness sink to my core as I move down the stairs - a slow, steady, suspenseful stride in place. Isolis sputters, gargling blood, drowning in his own red stain as I stalk toward him.

His body has absorbed the ruthless power inside of me that burns stronger with each use. He's not as strong as Castine. I'll kill him with ease.

"You bitch!" he spews, coughing out more of his red demise. "I'll-"

He stops as the deadly smirk appears on my lips. "All you'll do is die."

Fear cloaks his face as he suddenly becomes ashen by the infection of it. I don't know what he sees in me right now, but I love the power of fear.

"It's you. You'll fucking kill us all!"

Before he can rant on, I strike him with one last silver orb, showing my father's power as it surges freely from my fingertips. Dice drops down from the second floor, and I almost strike him before the high subsides as quickly as it came. Just as it always does.

I stagger to the ground, my whole body shaking, and he rushes to my side.

"For a second there, I thought you were going to take me out," he murmurs while scooping me up.

"For a second there, I was. The darkness... it comes with the power. Sorry."

"You just killed a night stalker that was seconds away from killing me. How the hell does a mortal witch do that?"

I groan as I look around at the damage my poor house has suffered, and then I use the magic from my light half to tidy it up. As if it's important.

The shattered pieces of my stairway suddenly shift back to form a pristine line, and the remnants of the splintered coffee table swirl in a small cyclone until reforming the rectangular wooden piece of furniture.

"Are you going to answer me?" Dice prompts, staring at me very intensely.

I decide to go with nonchalance, dismissal, and a touch of deflection. "I come from a strong bloodline. The better question is how did they get past my barrier? More to the point, how did you get past my barrier?"

"Ah," he says with a smug grin while putting me down and letting me walk on my own again. "They never knew I had been banished to sleep outside in the cold car. I heard your screams. It's a good thing your house isn't soundproof. Once I woke up, I saw the dreamer walking out. I didn't know what he was at the time, but

I used my powers of persuasion to dig it out. Good thing he wasn't immune to my charms the way you are. He gave me this very happily-" he hands me a small black stone "-before I tore his throat out. I wish night stalkers weren't so hard to charm. They feel some of our influence, but they're too strong to control for long."

My mind flashes back to the masquerade ball. Kane did feel the seductive air, but he walked away, which was something I couldn't do at all. Gage wouldn't have fought it off if Thad hadn't walked in on us.

"What is this?" I ask while staring at the smooth stone that doesn't appear to be any more special than a common piece of gravel.

"Beats me. It worked though. I walked right in without any problem. Do you have any juice of any kind?"

I tilt my head, confused by his request. "Orange juice. Why?"

"Because I killed the dreamer, so we'll have to wake the others ourselves. I'll also need lavender, coffee beans, and your blood."

"My blood?" I ask, pulling my arms in protectively.

"Yep. You're the owner of this house - the house in which the power to subdue them was used. Ownership means a lot in magic. Or we can wait a few days for the magic to wear off."

Apparently my blood will be spilled again tonight.

"Fine. Take my blood and work a potion."